Chapter 269

Sebastian instinctively realized what he had to do.

His fingers, rough from a lifetime of sword training, felt a strong obsession in Marie as they wrapped around her chest like a snake coiling its body.

Sebastian’s black hair was tousled. Though it was usually messy from wielding his sword, it was even more so now, filled with excitement.

Marie shivered as she faced his dark, intense brown eyes peeking through the tangled hair. The shadow cast underneath his eyes was heavy, creating a decadent atmosphere that complemented his beauty.

Without the obstacle of his glasses, which he wore during lectures, the lust contained in those eyes approached her even more intensely.

“Pl-please don’t do this!”

“Shh… Don’t resist; just stay still, Marie.”

“I’ll call the guards…!”

“Go ahead. I am a professor at the academy; what can the academy guards do to me?”

“Th-that’s….”

After that, there was nothing to hold back. The positions of professor and student, of student and professor, were fiercely opposed without a hint of retreat. However, it seemed Sebastian acted as if he wanted to escape such a frustrating situation.

His hands gripped her slender waist tightly. Unknowingly, Marie closed her eyes tightly.

“Marie. Do you still dislike me?”

“……”

“If you don’t answer, I can only assume that you’re ready to accept me….”

“…I, I don’t like it.”

“You really don’t understand. You should’ve answered positively here.”

Sebastian’s hands did not hesitate any further. Clothes were roughly torn, revealing pristine white skin.

“Marie. Whether you like it or not, you will accept me today.”

“……!”

Sebastian leaned down toward Marie’s collarbone. At the sensation of his lips touching her skin, Marie…

*

I slammed the book shut forcefully. I felt like I would lose my mind if I continued reading.

Tangled black hair, incredibly dark brown eyes almost resembling black, glasses, long shadows under his eyes, the title of professor….

‘No matter how I look at it, that’s me.’

Excluding the description of being decadently handsome, the conditions were quite similar to mine.

Without the condition of being handsome, for some reason, I felt a little disturbed, but anyway.

Since I had never met him even once and was encountering him for the first time today, I didn’t think it was something written referencing me. This was just a coincidental convergence of coincidences, merely a matter of extreme happenstance.

I refrained from absurdly asking why they introduced me without permission. I quietly called Anna’s name.

“…Anna.”

My voice was astonishingly low. Anna, who had been sitting rigidly in front of me, startled and quickly lifted her head.

“Y-yes, Professor….”

“Do your parents know that you are writing such a novel?”

“Ah, yes, they do….”

“….Hmm.”

Did the Count and Countess Valdeck know that their youngest daughter was writing such an erotic novel?

It was utterly absurd, but soon I thought, ‘That could be possible.’ What’s wrong with being an erotic novelist?

The problem was why Anna had joined the Occult Research Club.

Anna was essentially declaring, ‘The male protagonist in the erotic novel I’m writing resembles you a lot, and since we’re in different grades, I’ll do some research in the club.’

Of course, that research would likely involve observing my behavior.

‘…Is it art?’

Personally, it was a dream I wanted to support. After all, there was a time when I was interested in art.

Art is a field that faces a lot of comparisons. While it may be true across all fields, at least in the combat and magic departments, there’s some degree of livelihood.

But in art, featuring only artists who are merely a “higher compatible version” of oneself could lead to a detrimental situation for one’s livelihood. After all, you need money to enjoy what you love.

Of course, that gloomy story did not apply to Anna. I could hardly imagine how much wealth the Count’s estate possessed.

“Ahem….”

“I-I’m sorry, Professor….”

“It’s okay. You don’t have to apologize.”

Right. What sin does this girl have? I stifled a sigh, filling my mind with positive thoughts. It felt as if negative imaginations were being ventilated and released.

“Anna. No matter what novel you write, I will not interfere. I actually want to support your dream.”

“Th-thank you….”

“But I hope you could refrain from including me in this… novel.”

“Is that so…?”

“…Yes. Even if the characters are already completed, I wish you wouldn’t blend me into it. Do you understand?”

“…Yes.”

Fortunately, Anna was not as clueless as I initially thought. That was truly, truly a relief.

As I was catching my breath from the scenario where two clueless individuals were drifting away from the club, another troublesome person walked in. I smiled slightly at Anna.

“Anyway, welcome to the Occult Research Club. Chloe will provide you with detailed information about club activities.”

“……”

“Anna?”

“Ah, y-yes…. Got it.”

“Do you know Rina?”

“No. Today is the first time I’ve met her face-to-face….”

Rina and Anna were both first-year students and, in fact, in the same class A. Though they were significantly separated by their fields of magic and art, there was no reason for them to be disconnected personally.

I was certain they would become friends quickly. When introducing themselves, Rina had been glancing at Anna, as if she wanted to be friends.

“Yes. That will do. You may leave now.”

“Y-yes…! Excuse me…!”

Anna quickly darted out of the classroom. With that, our brief consultation regarding the new members of the club was over.

I stretched and eased the stiffness in my neck. Lately, burdened by intense work, a wave of extreme relief and exhaustion washed over me just from resolving one major issue.

“…I could write an erotic novel if I want.”

I didn’t know what circumstances Anna had, but it wasn’t something I needed to stop. Being in the art department, is it that unusual to write a novel? If the issue was that it was an erotic novel, so be it, but I thought it was nothing serious.

As the students all left, I stared blankly at the empty classroom. The items of the Occult Research Club, which took up more than half of what used to be a classroom, caught my eye, filling the shelves. I would have to clean that up someday.

Leaning against the window sill, as I gazed at them, a gentle wind blew against my back. When I turned my head unconsciously, I caught a glimpse of the red glow of the sunset beginning to color the courtyard.

“…Time.”

Having been consumed all day by matters regarding the club’s closure, did time feel like it was passing quickly? Was it merely a matter of perception?

I couldn’t say for sure.

All I could think about was how beautiful the sunset was in my eyes. I gazed at it blankly and felt anew that spring was approaching.

“Head Priest. I sent the students back to the dorms.”

Sofia Sub-Priest, who had approached me from behind, spoke. I had been looking at the sunset until then, but I turned my body to face her.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“No, Professor, you worked harder. You’ve been worrying nonstop about the club’s closure for the last couple of days.”

“…It’s fine.”

I had no idea how long it had been since the words “it’s fine” last came out. My shoulders felt stiff.

“Student Daniel conveyed his thanks. Student Vivian also….”

Daniel and Vivian only had about a year left at the academy. After their time at the academy is over, where will their journeys lead?

Chloe and Elin are now in their second year. Last year passed quickly, so this year should be no different.

Next year they will be in their third year, and the extracurricular activities they love in the Occult Research Club will gradually wane. By the time they reach their third year, they will be like adults.

Though their age might not match adulthood, it’s the time they start shouldering adult responsibilities and duties.

When that time comes, all the students in class A that I teach will have to graduate.

As an educator, I had never imagined the sight of my students leaving the beloved academy. But seeing Daniel and Vivian so obsessed with preventing the club’s closure prompted such thoughts.

At least, while they remain at the academy, let’s provide them with an environment where they can enjoy being students.

As long as they remain members of the club I am responsible for, let’s strive to help them enjoy themselves to the fullest.

If I can become a shelter from the rain, that would be enough. Even if my back gets soaked in the rain, the students spending their youth under that shelter will laugh and giggle seeing the raindrops.

– I hope you protect the Caldera Imperial Academy no matter what.

As Damian, the Chancellor, said, I should fulfill my duties.

That means protecting the academy. It’s synonymous with safeguarding the students’ smiles.

Therefore, I feel a great sense of relief that the Occult Research Club could continue to exist.

I hope that on the day Daniel and Vivian graduate, they can look back at their school days with smiles.

I hope that in the distant future, they can recall their time at the academy and think of the Occult Research Club.

“Head Priest.”

What broke my reverie was Sofia Sub-Priest calling me. I looked up to see her.

Having gathered her bag, Sofia Sub-Priest was standing at the door to the classroom, looking back at me.

“I think we should head to the Main Chapel. I just saw through the window that a delivery truck from the bakery has arrived at the courtyard.”

“…Let’s go to the Main Chapel.”

I stepped out of the classroom with Sofia Sub-Priest. As I locked the door to the classroom, Sofia Sub-Priest, as if waiting, walked beside me.

The windows in the hallway were open. A breeze blew through.

Though it was still chilly, it carried a slight refreshing scent of grass that tickled my nose.

Throwing my gaze out the window, I saw the trees and grass in the courtyard sway gently with the wind as if they were dancing.

Spring is blooming. Bathed in warm sunlight.

I hoped that the youth of the students blooming in that atmosphere would not fade away.

This year’s spring seems particularly warm.